Home to sumo wrestling, sake, geishas, karaoke and onsens, Japan is an extraordinary land. Here you can expect a frenetic pace one day and a tranquil experience the next. Take in the neon nightlife of Tokyo, relax in the manicured gardens of Nikko and discover thousands of years of culture and history in Kyoto. From world-class sushi to legendary samurai, this enigmatic nation is a traveller’s delight. Get back to basics and see the best of Japan without busting your budget.

Travel more, deposit less. Book now with just €50!

Save a space on your 2019 trip with only a €50 deposit until 31 August 2018.

Travel more, deposit less. Book now with just €50!

Save a space on your 2019 trip with only a €50 deposit until 31 August 2018.

GBP50/EUR50/CHF50/ZAR1250 deposit offer must be redeemed between 1 – 31 August 2018 and can be used on any 2019 trip.
Offer excludes Christmas departures from 15 December – 31 December 2019.
The deposit can be used towards any Intrepid small group adventure, Intrepid short breaks and Dragoman trips with the below exclusions: Polar trips – includes all itineraries in the Arctic and Antarctica; Private groups; Eat your way around the world trip; Gorilla treks where pre-purchased permits are required to secure the trek to see the Gorillas. Excluded trips are: YDOU, YXOG, YXOCC, YXOIC, YXOEC, YXOGC, YXOFC, UXODC, YGAG, YGAR; Inca Trail trips where pre-purchased permits are required to secure the trek. Excluded trips are: GGSQ, GGTA, GGSEC, GGTBC, GGSA, GGSD, GGSYC, GGSUC, GGKP, GGTWC, GGFB, GGKY, GGHT, GGCLC, GGHC, GDOP, GDOL, GDOKC, GDOMC, GDOO, GDOB, GDOBC, GDOTC, GDODC, GDOEC, GGBL, GGHC-O; Patagonia trips including the W-Walk. Excluded trips are: GDOD, GDOE, GDOI, GDOJ. Normal deposits apply to these trips.
Balance is payable within 56 days of departure except for Intrepid Adventure Cruising departures which are payable within 90 days of departure.
Full name of passengers must be provided at time of booking. Passengers are not able to hold multiple departures for overlapping dates.
Offer applies to land element of tour only and cannot be redeemed against international flights.
The offer can only be applied to new bookings. Under no circumstances will the offer be applied to existing bookings or used in conjunction with another offer or discount.
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If the traveller wishes to change dates or tours, they will be required to pay the full GBP200/EUR275/CHF300/ZAR4000 deposit towards the new trip. This is applicable even inside the promotional period.
Prices, itineraries and inclusions are subject to change without notice. Standard booking conditions apply as per Intrepid website, www.intrepidtravel.com.

Why you'll love this trip

Japan is full of the contrasts of ultra modern (robot restaurant anyone?) and ancient tradition (just step into any of Kyoto’s stunning temples). While brief, this trip will introduce you to all facets of this fascinating country.

With a leader to show you around, a new group of friends to explore with and plenty of free time to do exactly what interests you most about the country, you will definitely be able to make the most of each day on this trip.

The little town of Nikko is one of our favourite destinations, packed with World Heritage listed temples, picture perfect hiking trails, and one of the best places to experience an onsen – hot springs bath.

Even getting from A to B is fun in Japan! Ride the shinkasen bullet train and make use of day passes for local public transport to get to and from the activities you choose in each destination. Here's why train travel in Japan is something we just don't want you to miss: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/japan-trains/

Is this trip right for you?

As this is a Basix style trip, expect simple accommodation, included public transport and plenty of free time to pack in the optional activities.

Your leader will take you on orientation walks in each destination, giving you tips on things like supermarkets, places to eat and ATMs and recommendations of fun things to see and do. For more in depth exploration you can head off on your own or with other members of your group, or for the days we are in Kyoto and Tokyo, book one of our excellent Urban Adventures day tours. If you are interested in an itinerary with more inclusions, please see our “Land of the Rising Sun” (CJST) trip.

In some destinations you may be staying in a ryokan, which is a Japanese-style inn. It’s a great taste of tradition, however not everyone finds futon matresses on the tatami mat floor, tiny bathrooms and proximity to other guests as comfortable as more western-style hotels and beds.

Gallery

Itinerary

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Bursting with contemporary urban culture, there are many sides of Tokyo to explore, from fascinating museums and world-class shopping, to neighbourhood backstreets lined with restaurants and karaoke bars. Your adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 6pm tonight. You can arrive at any time during the day, as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Please check with hotel reception or look on the reception noticeboard for where and when the meeting will take place. Have your insurance and next of kin details on hand as we'll be collecting them at this meeting. Afterwards, we will be heading out for an optional dinner to try some local Tokyo food and experience the nightlife in this amazing city. You might like to finish the night with a drink at a traditional Japanese izakaya.

Accommodation

Hotel/Ryokan (1 night)

Included Activities

Tokyo - welcome meeting and orientation walk

Meals Included

This morning, venture out with your tour leader on the tokyo metro to the buzzling Shibuya area and explore the well known and secret gems of Tokyo. Stop at Shibuya station where we look down on one of the busiest intersections in the world and visit the statue of Hachikō the famous loyal dog. Next we head into a depachika for a mouth-watering array of tempting Japanese treats. Depachika are dazzling food halls that lurk beneath major department stores, where vendors sell everything from bento boxes for lunch to formal gifts and everyday groceries. Grab a picnic lunch (optional) as we are heading to Yoyogi Park, home to many events from the first Japan Olympics.

Afterwards we visit Meiji Shrine. Enter via a massive Torii (gate) and the sights and sounds of the busy city are replaced by a tranquil forest. Approximately 100,000 trees were planted during the shrine's construction and were donated from regions across the entire country. Meiji is a popular location for weddings and the traditional Shinto service can often be observed there.

Then we finish our our journey with a visit to Harajuku, the home of quirky youth pop culture.

In your free time afterwards, you can maybe take in the historic Asakusa area. This is one of the older and more traditional parts of Tokyo, and is often called the temple district. Here you can stop by Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple – founded almost 1,400 years ago when Tokyo was nothing more than a fishing village.

If you’re pressed for choice or feeling a little lost in this enormous new city, consider doing an Urban Adventures tour, such as 'Tokyo After 5'. Speak to your leader for more information. In the evening, there’s an incredible array of options for dinner – a hearty bowl of ramen, crispy tonkatsu (breaded, deep-fried cutlet), or snacks and beer at an izakaya – the list goes on!

Accommodation

Hotel/Ryokan (1 night)

Included Activities

Tokyo - Yoyogi Park

Tokyo - Meiji Shrine

Tokyo - Shibuya walking tour

Tokyo - metro day pass

Meals Included

Enjoy another day exploring Tokyo. If you would like to your tour leader will take you for a morning walk around Tsukji Fish market dodge bargain hunters, fishmongers, and market trolleys piled high with crates of stock as you wander the narrow aisles of spectacular creatures. Afterwards, you could pop in to one of the sushi restaurants that surround the market for the freshest sushi breakfast you could ever eat.

Then head to the famous Akihabara District. Akihabara has gained recognition as the center of Japan's otaku culture. Many shops and establishments devoted to anime and manga are now dispersed among the electronic stores in the district.

The afternoon is free for your own exploration. Take in history at the Imperial Palace or the treasures at the National Museum, and see the grand shrine dedicated to the 19th-century Emperor. Spend some time in the city’s green spaces like Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, or see the city from a different angle with a short cruise down the Sumida River. Head up the observation deck of the Metropolitan Government Building for a stunning view across the skyline of the world’s largest metropolis. You could always create your own entertainment with a memorable turn in a sky-high karaoke glass box. If the season’s right you might even get to experience the theatre of a sumo bout.

Accommodation

Hotel/Ryokan (1 night)

Included Activities

Tokyo - Tsukiji Fish Market

Tokyo - Akihabara District walking tour

Tokyo - metro day pass

Optional Activities

Tokyo - Hamarikyu Garden - JPY300

Karaoke - JPY2000

Tokyo - Samurai Sword Museum - JPY600

Meals Included

Say goodbye to Tokyo and hop on our first train to Nikko. The whole journey takes about two hours. Along the way, you’ll see spectacular countryside scenery and enjoy some snacks on the train.
Once you arrive in Nikko you’ll have free time to spend as you wish. Nikko has been a sacred city since the middle of the 8th century, and is overflowing with beautiful shrines and temples. Perhaps visit the Toshu-gu Shrine, a resting place of a Tokugawa shogun who was one of the most powerful rulers of the country. The shrine contrasts with the traditional minimalist style commonly used throughout Japan. Instead, every corner of this monument is covered in intricate gold leaf, lacquer work, paintings and patterns. Here you can also visit the Museum of Art at the back of the temple complex. This 1920s mansion has one of the country’s most beautiful collections of sliding doors and screens decorated by the best Japanese painters of the day. You can also pay a visit to the red-lacquered Shin-kyō bridge, one of the town’s most famous landmarks, and the Buddhist temple of Rinnō-ji, home to fearsome statues and an elegant garden. Alternatively, follow the path up the river to the other worldly Kanmangafuchi Abyss, where over 70 statues of Jizo buddha wearing red bib watch over the kids and travellers.

Accommodation

Hotel/Ryokan (1 night)

Included Activities

Nikko - public bus area pass

Optional Activities

Rinnō-ji Temple - JPY400

Nikko - Kanmangafuchi Abyss - JPY200

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - JPY1300

Meals Included

For those feeling energetic, join your leader for a trek in the area. Depending on the time of the year, you can relax by Chuzenji Lake or climb up to the Senjogahara Plateau, where the gods of Mt Nantai and Mt Akagi are said to have battled for possession of the lake. You can take a 6 kilometre walk following the course of the plateau, or explore the various hiking trails that spread off from the lake itself. The lake area is also home to the Kegon Waterfall, and you can get the Akechi Daira Rope Way cable car over the falls and lake. A little further on is Lake Yunoko and Yumoto, where you can soak in the natural hot springs – a great place to experience one of Japans well-loved public onsens.
In the town itself you can explore the shops along Hippari Dako, maybe tasting yuba, the skin that forms on top when making tofu - a delicious treat!

Accommodation

Hotel/Ryokan (1 night)

Included Activities

Nikko - trekking

Meals Included

Enjoy your last free morning in Nikko and then say goodbye to Nikko for our long journey to Kyoto. Take the local train (around 2 hours) and then jump on board the shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto for approximately three hours. Originally founded as Heian-kyo (literally “tranquillity and peace capital”) by Emperor Kammu in 794, Kyoto had its golden age during the imperial court's heyday from 794 to 1185. Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1,000 years (the name means “Capital City”) but the emperor and government are now located in Tokyo. With over 2,000 temples, shrines and gardens, Kyoto is a great place to get lost in. Spend some free time getting acquainted with Kyoto and walking through the historical streets. In the evening, your leader will take you on a walk through Pondocho and Gion area, the famous Geisha district. Even today you can observe the age-old tradition of geisha girls visiting members of the wealthy elite. This unfolds in small teahouses tucked away in tiny back streets. For those who are keen, you can also choose to attend the Gion Corner cultural centre where to enjoy some Japanese performing arts, from flower arranging to the lion dance.

Accommodation

Hotel/Ryokan (1 night)

Included Activities

Kyoto - Gion District walk

Optional Activities

Kyoto - Gion Corner cultural centre - JPY2800

Kyoto - Imperial Palace - Free

Meals Included

Today, let's head to one of the most photogenic spots in Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. Famous for the thousands of vermillion-coloured torii (gates) which straddle the paths and trails in the area this shrine is dedicated to Inari the Shinto God of rice. Foxes are the messengers of Inari and so the shrine has many fox statues which line the path. If you have the energy the number of visitors thins out the higher up the hill you walk and the view from the top over Kyoto is well-worth the climb.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore. With its many cultural landmarks and historical sites, and the abundance of traditional arts and literature, Kyoto is regarded as the cultural heart of Japan. Kyoto is also a city that lends itself to walking, and there are a number of paths available. Recommended is a gentle stroll through the nearby eastern hills along the ‘Path of Philosophy’ that links Ginkaku-ji, the Temple of the Silver Pavilion, with Nanzen-ji Temple. This walk can be extended south through well-preserved ‘old town’ areas to Kiyamizu-dera (Temple of Clear Water) from where there is a justifiably famous view across a wooded gorge toward Kyoto. Also recommended, for those visiting in spring, is a visit to the theatre for a presentation of Miyako Odori (the Cherry Blossom Dance) performed by elaborately dressed maiko (apprentice geisha), or a visit to the extravagantly decorated Kinkakuji temple, immortalised in Yukio Mishima’s novel “The Golden Pavilion”. Another great stop is the architecturally impressive Higashi Honganji temple and the almost surreal Sanjusangendo, home to 1,001 statues of Kannon.

Accommodation

Hotel/Ryokan (1 night)

Included Activities

Kyoto - Fushimi Inari Shrine

Kyoto - bus day pass

Optional Activities

Kyoto Tower - JPY770

Kyoto - Bike hire (per day) - JPY800

Kyoto - Kinkakuji Temple - JPY500

Kyoto - Ryoanji Zen Garden - JPY500

Kyoto - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Free

Kyoto - Philosopher’s path - Free

Meals Included

Make the most of your last day in Kyoto. If you haven’t done so already, you may like to see Japan’s largest pagoda at Toji. Consider doing one of our Urban Adventure tours, such as the cycling tour of the Path of Philosophy (see urbanadventures.com for more information). You could visit the imposing and opulent Nijo Castle, home to the Tokugawa Shoguns who had power over the country during the Edo period. Check out the ‘nightingale floors’ of Ninomaru Palace, which squeak to warn of intruders (like otherwise-silent ninjas). From the Castle it’s a short bus ride to Ryoan-ji, perhaps Japan’s most famous Zen garden, where carefully placed rocks sit in an immaculately raked sea of gravel. For some last minute shopping there’s Kyoto’s handicraft centre, a perfect place to pick up some souvenirs with a fine selection of woodblock prints, yukata (light cotton robes), jewellery and pottery. On your final evening you could enjoy karaoke with your new friends, or maybe splash out on a kaiseki meal in a ryotei (small restaurants serving traditional multi-course cuisine).

Next trip departures

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Important notes

1. This trip does not include a Japan Rail Pass. You will need to buy your own train tickets for any independent rail travel you wish to do in Japan pre or post tour.
2. Due to the rapid increase in tourism in Japan and in the lead up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics it has been necessary to go outside our traditional tour leader sources. As a result our passionate, professional and trained tour leaders may be local Japanese or long term foreign residents in Japan.
3. We are currently unable to book pre or post tour accommodation at our start & finish point hotels due to limited room availability. We recommend booking a hotel of your choice through an online booking engine if you are planning to stay longer in Japan.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Courtney Garcia

Japan Express was an excellent trip for those who truly value freedom and flexibility with their itinerary, but want a guide for translations, recommendations, and lots of meaningful history over the country. I love that we are able to do all of our included activities with the group, but then are free to explore for the remainder of the day on our own. I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to travel on their own terms, but wants all the logistics to be taken care of at the same time. Additionally, we met wonderful people and bonded very well with our tour guide, so it was great being able to spend time with them!

Review submitted 03 Aug 2018

Japan Express trip reviews

Our Japan Express trips score an average of 4.59 out of 5
based on 101 reviews in the last year.